I conclude that Amazon's list needs to be put out of its misory. Tolkien, yes. The other two...
There were plenty of other surprises on there, leading me to believe that, yes, that list was worthless.
I enjoy Jane Eyre. But that is because I immediately forget the religious nonsense.
I have often wondered, and please don't take this the wrong way, if you have to be female to identify with or enjoy Jane Eyre. I don't remember ever hearing from a male who loved it. Not that that's an appropriate excuse not to read it.
Well those first few pages were horrid and the Cliff's Notes that got me through class were dull too. I think at this point it’s more of an ingrained habit of avoidance. Am I missing something?
Why anyone would want to use Cliff's Notes is beyond me.
Are you missing something? Yes. What makes it literature. The reason why it is good. Cliff's Notes are like ... powder soup. It is not soup. It is just a powdery, boring extract of soup and it lacks the soupness of it.
I meant was a missing some appeal to Austen or Bronte that I should endevour to read it, not comparing to the quality of Cliff's Notes to the actual work. I do enjoy the soup analogy though, that was well done.

Cliff's Notes were my lazy way to get a grade in High School English, while reading other things I found more interesting.
The Classics - general discussion / survey
- 30/09/2010 03:52:53 PM
1718 Views
My own answers.
- 30/09/2010 04:38:33 PM
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Re: My own answers.
- 30/09/2010 09:02:08 PM
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Powdered Soup!
- 30/09/2010 09:23:51 PM
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Re: Powdered Soup!
- 30/09/2010 09:34:06 PM
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Re: Powdered Soup!
- 30/09/2010 10:07:20 PM
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Well, have you seen any of the Austen TV/movie adaptations, then?
- 30/09/2010 10:25:58 PM
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Oh yes. I even made the mistake of purchasing the new Pride and Prejudice for her.
- 01/10/2010 12:10:05 AM
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Cliff's notes
- 05/10/2010 08:05:56 PM
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Re: Cliff's notes
- 05/10/2010 09:21:06 PM
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A classic is really any book with enduring value.
- 30/09/2010 05:33:35 PM
1285 Views
Re: A classic is really any book with enduring value.
- 30/09/2010 06:46:02 PM
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Re: A classic is really any book with enduring value.
- 30/09/2010 10:57:23 PM
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Re: A classic is really any book with enduring value.
- 30/09/2010 11:39:16 PM
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I really need to read Kundera. I've heard nothing but praise for Unbearable Lightness. *NM*
- 30/09/2010 08:46:18 PM
692 Views
I could post you over a copy to borrow.
- 30/09/2010 08:58:08 PM
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That is very kind, but I have far too much to do to read non-school books, unfortunately.
- 30/09/2010 10:53:23 PM
1171 Views
- 30/09/2010 10:53:23 PM
1171 Views
Haven't read any other Kundera, but yes, that one is very enjoyable. *NM*
- 30/09/2010 09:50:30 PM
681 Views
I found his other books to be pale copies of The Unbearable Lightness of Being. *NM*
- 30/09/2010 10:51:55 PM
726 Views
I study them, apparently.
- 30/09/2010 08:44:40 PM
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I wish I could do that.
- 30/09/2010 09:49:57 PM
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Less fun than you'd think.
- 30/09/2010 10:52:10 PM
1139 Views
- 30/09/2010 10:52:10 PM
1139 Views
More admiration of your discipline than assuming you were having fun with it.
- 01/10/2010 12:31:06 AM
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- 01/10/2010 12:31:06 AM
1286 Views
Re: The Classics - general discussion / survey .. edited.
- 30/09/2010 08:58:14 PM
1365 Views
I knew you would have a rather lengthy list. I was worried until the edit came through.
- 01/10/2010 02:26:34 AM
1364 Views
- 01/10/2010 02:26:34 AM
1364 Views
Good survey.
- 30/09/2010 10:23:18 PM
1344 Views
- 30/09/2010 10:23:18 PM
1344 Views
Agreed. edited
- 30/09/2010 10:37:48 PM
1324 Views
But but but Milton is beautiful
- 30/09/2010 10:46:06 PM
1221 Views
- 30/09/2010 10:46:06 PM
1221 Views
Sometimes.
- 30/09/2010 10:47:28 PM
1289 Views
I'm glad you approve on the whole.
- 30/09/2010 11:12:00 PM
1335 Views
- 30/09/2010 11:12:00 PM
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I generally do.
- 30/09/2010 11:19:05 PM
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Excellent.
Might as well include a Hooft poem anyway, in case anyone's interested...
- 30/09/2010 11:40:24 PM
1420 Views
Might as well include a Hooft poem anyway, in case anyone's interested...
- 30/09/2010 11:40:24 PM
1420 Views
Re: Excellent.
Might as well include a Hooft poem anyway, in case anyone's interested...
- 30/09/2010 11:43:20 PM
1309 Views
Might as well include a Hooft poem anyway, in case anyone's interested...
- 30/09/2010 11:43:20 PM
1309 Views
Ah Cliff, I bow to thee
- 30/09/2010 11:30:41 PM
1388 Views
Re: Ah Cliff, I bow to thee
- 01/10/2010 03:18:58 AM
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Re: Ah Cliff, I bow to thee
- 01/10/2010 05:20:10 AM
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Re: Ah Cliff, I bow to thee
- 01/10/2010 02:05:35 PM
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I will not list 300+ books here, I promise
- 01/10/2010 12:36:17 AM
1390 Views
O'Connor is wonderful. But I am not sure many can appreciate her.
- 01/10/2010 02:50:54 AM
1074 Views
Criminy, I thought I was done with essay questions years ago.
- 01/10/2010 01:39:56 AM
1263 Views
the bf and I are going to do a "Paradise Lost" book club...
- 02/10/2010 08:29:38 AM
1410 Views
